The impossible implementation of the Legal Obligations of Clearing (OLD)

Clearing brush is the best way to protect a home from fire and limit its spread. It is a fundamental protection regulation in areas classified as being at risk of forest and vegetation fires.

The interministerial decree of March 29, 2024, requires environmental issues to be taken into account in each prefectural decree specifying the terms for implementing OLDs. The Federation warns of the major difficulties in taking these issues into account and the complexity of drafting these decrees, which can lead to prescriptions that are sometimes inconsistent, inapplicable, or even counterproductive. The application of OLDs is therefore becoming very complex, with varying rules depending on the department.

In light of these findings, the FNCOFOR calls on the government to provide immediate clarification. It requests the publication of a new circular implementing the interministerial decree of March 29, 2024, combining clarity and applicability, with a more pragmatic approach. This circular should help establish a relevant and operational regulatory framework.

The Federation reiterates that OLDs are of general interest: they protect populations, property, and the forest in all its functions, including environmental protection. It is essential to ensure their implementation meets the challenges.